CUP SUCCESS FOR LION CUBS

LEICESTER clinched the NDL KO Cup as part of a double win at Mildenhall in a lengthy West Rowe double-header on Thursday.

The Lion Cubs put themselves in pole position to take the league title with a 52-37 win in the first leg of the Grand Final, and then ran up a huge 61-27 victory in the second leg of the Cup Final, for a 60-point aggregate success.

Dan Thompson top-scored in the league encounter with 14 points with brother Joe adding 10, but third heat-leader Connor Coles was withdrawn with a suspected broken collarbone after tangling with Ashton Boughen in Heat 12.

Jason Edwards scored 16 for the Fen Tigers who were further depleted in numbers for the Cup tie, and he scored 13 of their 27 points in that meeting, with Max Perry, Tom Spencer and Dan Thompson all in double figures for the Cubs.

Leicester boss Dave Howard said: “Everybody was tremendous tonight, and a 15-point lead in the Grand Final is a brilliant position for us to be in.

“The Cup was over by Heat 8 and it’s obviously great to win the first trophy – and to be in a very good position to complete the double on Saturday.

“I’d also like to say a big thanks to the fans, we had quite a few down here and they all stayed past midnight for the photos, so thanks to all of them who have been supporting us all year.

“It’s a great night for us, it sets us up well, and now we’ve just got to make sure we finish the job off on Saturday.”

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARDS
Mildenhall v Leicester (NDL Grand Final, 1st leg) – Available here
Mildenhall v Leicester (NDL KO Cup Final, 2nd leg) – Available here

Photo credit: DEREK LEADER